TAP Air Portugal
Last month there was a bit of a mix-up – what seemed like a generous TAP Air Portugal status match offer turned out to be a website testing slip-up. But as it turns out, it really was a preview, because the promotion has now officially launched.
- Deadline unknown
- European residents only (excluding Portugal)
- Match to Silver (€49) or Gold (€199)
- Membership valid for 12 months
So no $1 deal this time. Silver is cheap but useless, while Gold at €199 isn’t outrageous, though not exactly a bargain either.
The number of eligible programs is limited, but the qualification bar isn’t too high. For Gold status, the minimum requirements are:
- British Airways Silver
- Iberia Ora
- Air France / KLM Gold
- Finnair Gold
- American Airlines Platinum
- Delta Airlines Gold
- Royal Air Maroc Gold
- Aer Lingus Platinum
- Air Europa Gold
- LATAM Platinum
- WestJet Gold
- JetBlue Mosaic 2
TAP’s Gold corresponds to Star Alliance Gold, which grants priority check-in and boarding, extra baggage allowance, fast-track security, and business lounge access on member airlines (such as the Lufthansa Group, Air China, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, ANA, Turkish Airlines and United).
SAS
SAS Eurobonus is adjusting their award chart on December 1, the changes being (one-way):
- Long-haul premium economy: 40k -> 45k
- Long-haul business: 50k -> 60k
The increase is much more significant for redeeming partner flights, although from what I see only business class is affected. For example (return):
- Domestic: 30k -> 40k
- Intra – Europe: 60k -> 80k
- Europe – North America: 130k -> 140k
- Europe – Asia: 165k -> 180k
- North America – South America: 90k -> 100k
- North America – Asia: 165k -> 180k
For one-way partner redemption you pay 60% of the price.
SAS points’ best value is in redeeming their own long-haul business tickets, as the rate is very reasonable, plus they are one of, if not the only European frequent flyer program that don’t impose any surcharge on award tickets.
SAS’s long-haul business is still a bargain even after the devaluation. Note that besides a handful of European credit card programs, Eurobonus has very few transfer partners.
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